Juveniles may commit crimes on the same level as adults do, but they are of a special case because of their age and relative psychological immaturity. The purpose of the juvenile justice system is to rehabilitate the minors and help them integrate better into the society. As research shows, police officers come into contact with different kinds of juveniles offenders. They may be mentally ill or handicapped. Some of them come from disorderly families, or are routinely abused physically and sexually by parents or other family members. Others may be simply neglected or have no family support when they are in need (Bartollas & Miller, 2008, pp. 101-2; Cole & Smith, 2007, p. 554). These unique circumstances make juveniles a special case.
As Lawrence and Hemmens (2008) write, police officers need to take special measures in treating juveniles during and after arrest especially because "young persons' views and attitudes toward law enforcement are shaped by their first encounter with a police officer" (p. 127). The officers must remember that the youth are psychologically immature and more vulnerable to group influence. The roles of the police are not confined to activities related to the enforcement of law, but should also include maintaining order and serving the community. The police should also work with community agencies and parents in rehabilitating...
The purpose of the juvenile justice system should not simply be to punish the juvenile offenders but to prevent and rehabilitate the youth. Granting juveniles additional protection helps the youth to develop a sense of responsibility and respect for authority. It also helps them to return to normalcy and benefits the community. In other words, additional protected granted to juveniles better serves the purposes of the justice system.
References
Arundel, a. (2010) Arrest and Custody of Juveniles. Retrieved on February 17, 2011, from http://www.aacounty.org/Police/RulesRegs/Sections17-19/1702JuvArrestCust.pdf
Bartollas, C., & Miller, S.J. (2008) Juvenile Justice in America (5th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Cole, G.F., & Smith, C.E. (2007) the American System of Criminal Justice (11th edition). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
"Juvenile Arrest and Detention" (n.d.) Criminal Law Free Advice. Retrieved on February 18, 2011, from http://criminal-law.freeadvice.com/juvenile_law/juvenile-detention.htm
Lawrence, R., & Hemmens, C (2008). Juvenile Justice: A Text/Reader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Martin, G. (2005) Juvenile Justice: Process and Systems. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
